REAL-TIME OPERATING SYSTEMS AND STANDARDS - Hard Real-Time Computing Systems: Predictable Scheduling Algorithms and Applications - page 453

12.5.1 TIMING ANALYSIS TOOLS

Obtaining accurate information about the longest execution time a software compo-
nent can take to run on a specific platform is a key feature for ensuring that an embed-
ded real-time system will operate correctly.

These tools perform a static analysis of the task code (some at the source level, some
at the executable level) to determine a set of data that are essential to verify the timing
behavior of a real-time application. Examples of such data include task worst-case
execution times (WCETs), cache-related preemption delays (CRPDs), and stack usage
profiles. The following are two commercial tools in this category.

RapiTime 17 is a timing analysis tool, developed by Rapita Systems Ltd, targeted
at real-time embedded applications. RapiTime collects execution traces and de-
rives execution time measurement statistics to help the programmer in estimating
tasks' worst-case execution times.

aiT 18 is a WCET analyzer that statically computes tight bounds for the task
WCETs in real-time systems. It directly analyzes binary executables taking the
intrinsic cache and pipeline behavior into account. It was developed by Absint
in the DAEDALUS European project, according to the requirements of Airbus
France for validating the timing behavior of critical avionics software, includ-
ing the flight control software of the A380 aircraft. A graphical user interface
supports the visualization of the worst-case program path and the interactive in-
spection of all pipeline and cache states at arbitrary program points.

17 RapiTime: http://www.rapitasystems.com/rapitime
18 aiT: http://www.absint.com/ait/